Hiring A Roofer

We're approaching two months since the first big hail storm hit Sioux Falls this summer, but damage repair following the storms has yet to slow down.

Body shops are full and roofers have more jobs than they can handle. But many people still have questions regarding their vehicles, roofs and insurance money.

"I had a foot of hail all around the house and they were big stones," Goodis said.

Marianne Goodis says before she could even call her insurance company, an out-of-state roofer showed up at her door.

"Here they come and we'll look at your roof, free of charge. And I said, 'Okay, have at it.'" Goodis said.

They told her she needed a new roof, but Goodis questioned that because she had just replaced hers three years ago.

"It seemed to me I shouldn't need a new roof right after a hail storm, even though it was a bad hail storm," Goodis said.

"I always tell people, verify who you are working with, get referrals, look in the phone book, the local best--know who is going to be getting up on your roof," Insurance Agent Bryan Kouri said.

Insurance Agent Bryan Kouri says he's seen a lot of out-of-state roofers try to pass themselves off as local companies.

"We've had business cards given to our insured and they're mini-storage units--that's their location; or they're forwarding companies," Kouri said.

Kouri says some even write into the contract that they can charge as much as 30 percent more than the insurance company will pay. Goodis called her insurance company who sent out another roofer that gave her a second opinion.

"And they looked over the roof and said, 'No I didn't need a new roof,'" Goodis said.

That roofer told Goodis she just has minimal damage.

"At this point what I may do is call the roofer up who put this roof up originally and see what he has to say," Goodis said.

If there is a big difference between an insurance adjustor's and a roofer's estimates, they will usually meet with the homeowner to resolve it. If you do get an insurance check for storm damage and cash it without making repairs, you won't be able to file a claim when the next storm hits.

If you think you have damage from the June hail storms, it's not too late to file a claim with your insurance company. But you may have to wait months to book a roofer.